Report by the 11d Journaling Team
The Nelson Mandela School has once again come together to create and celebrate another successful Ubuntu week (23-27 April 2018). While participating in several activities for the environment, discussing current topics and decorating the different campuses, the students of the Nelson Mandela School have rediscovered the meaning of Ubuntu.This South African word represents the idea that humans are all in constant communication and communion with others and their environment. Ubuntu teaches us to be connected, improve the community and have a mutual caring for everyone around us.
Video by Flex E
Therefore, several classes from the Flex to 11th grade decided to show their support by collecting plastic and trash on the streets and the schoolyards. In connection to this activity, the topic “sustainability and waste in the ocean” was discussed and awareness was raised. Furthermore, a 4th grade class of the primary worked together with Berlin´s food organisation “Homeless Veggie Dinner”, who hand out food to homeless people. Following the goal to improve our environment, classes started gardening on the schoolyard and students of the art classes decorated the school´s walls with Ubuntu inspired words. Special thank you to the class that created the “Ubuntu tree” with kind notes as leaves. Moreover, current political issues were addressed as well, as an 11th grade class invited a refugee from Gaza to speak about the political crises of Israel and it´s neighbouring countries.
In addition, the 9th grade spent Ubuntu time talking about Judaism and Islam. Not to forget, the traditional fashion revolution took place. Students from all grades gathered together to invent and create clothes and present them afterwards. In association to this creative event, students researched the ethical conditions of making clothes in other countries and asked themselves “Where are my clothes made?”. Another highlight of this year´s Ubuntu week are the introductory workshops several Flex classes attended to learn about building trust and to strengthen the Ubuntu spirit at this school. This year, “Ubuntu cards” were passed around, where students could write a little Ubuntu inspired note and give it to their friend or schoolmate.
Looking at the above mentioned activities and, not to forget, the several other events that took place during this Ubuntu week, the NMS has not only celebrated this word, but also the school´s name bearer, Nelson Mandela, who is described to be the embodiment of “Ubuntu”. As the well known Ubuntu saying goes: “I am; because you are”.
See the blog below for a full record of the many activities during Ubuntu Week. Alternatively, here is the blog as a pdf and as an image.
